Businessman Vyacheslav Mishalov, who owns significant assets in several sectors, mainly concentrated in the Dnipro region, considers investments in agro-processing, which has export potential, to be promising and is interested in such projects, he said in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
“I am not involved in the agricultural sector. I’m not into farming, but I think processing is the next big thing in Ukraine. It’s already huge, but it’ll get even bigger because processing different crops is a never-ending process, it’s super high-tech, and Ukraine has a lot of room to process anything,” Mishalov said.
In his opinion, there is also a lot of room for craft products in this sector, so small businesses can also enter this market.
The businessman clarified that the absence of such objects in his portfolio is due to the fact that he has not yet come across good teams with the necessary experience in processing.
Mishalov also said that he remains interested in Dnipropres Steel, which he has left as an owner but has an option to buy the company under a “rather complex agreement.”
According to him, the company continues to pursue a very active and extensive modernization program, and the businessman himself cooperates with it as a consultant, advisor, independent member of the supervisory board, and seller of its products.
“This is an export-oriented business, and I really like it in the long run. Ukraine used to have very good schools and universities. And although this is no longer the case today, Ukraine is a very good place for individual metallurgy projects, ‘pearl buttons,’” Mishalov described his vision for the industry’s prospects.
Regarding the possibility of other investments, he noted that he has no plans for them at this time, with the exception of some local and specific ones.
“Today, we are completing all major investment decisions that were made earlier and are not starting any new ones yet. We need to wait a while — the risks are very high, and the horizon for stability is short. Given these factors, it is definitely not possible to make large investments,“ the businessman said, explaining his position. He added that he is currently completing an alternative energy project related to gas generation, which will be ready for announcement within the next three to four months. ”But again, these are necessary measures.
If we did not have our own large consumption, we probably would not have gone ahead with the gas generation project either, because the risks are high and the equipment is fantastically expensive,” Mishalov added.
According to him, there have been several attacks on his assets, the principle of which is unclear, but they are very precise, and each time the losses are measured in tens of millions of hryvnia.
Regarding the Lotus network of four gas stations in Dnipro and Novomoskovsk and the petroleum products trader Lotus Oil Trading, the businessman noted that these assets are currently illiquid due to unfavorable market conditions, where “profitability is good if it is zero,” and consumption is falling.
As for the news portal Informator, Mishalov claims that it is just a business.
“There was a time when it was a good business, and I had very successful experience selling similar assets. Today is probably not the best time. But that’s okay — we’ll wait and sell a little later.
In the long run, it’s a good business,” he said.
According to him, Informator is currently performing well, is active on social media, and is close to the top ten in terms of real audience.
Mishalov, who was secretary of the Dnipro City Council in 2016-2017, categorically denied plans to return to politics. “I don’t even know how much I would have to pay to go back there. It’s definitely not for me,” the businessman said.
As the businessman said in an interview, all his assets are already quite well structured and managed through the closed non-diversified venture corporate investment fund Fortress. Mishalov’s investments also include the financial company Ye Groshi, the provider Fregat, and an IT division.
The fund, in turn, is managed by the asset management company LLC “KUAA ”MPSS” from Dnipro, owned by Sergei Shishkin (50%), Igor Sukhodolsky (41%), and Olga Mukhina (9%).
The Czech Chamber of Food Industry has expressed concern over the European Union’s plans to significantly expand duty-free import quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products. A press release published on July 15 states that this threatens the Czech sugar industry. According to the Chamber, the quota for duty-free sugar imports from Ukraine to the EU could be increased from the current 20,070 tons to 100,000 tons — five times more. As a result, Czech producers fear a decline in self-sufficiency and a repeat of the situation with the closure of the plant in Hrušovany nad Evšovkou, which was linked to the influx of cheap imported sugar.
The Chamber’s president, Dana Večeržová, said: “If quotas continue to rise, we risk seeing the closure of new enterprises and ineffective investments not only in the sugar industry, but also in other strategic sectors.”
The decline in the Czech Republic’s self-sufficiency in sugar creates dependence on imports and devalues investments. Producers are calling on the government to abandon the quota increase and demand the introduction of restrictive mechanisms (automatic protective measures, price thresholds, and individual quotas) in negotiations with the European Commission.
Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania have expressed their support for the Czech position. They signed a joint declaration calling on the European Commission to introduce protective measures for the most vulnerable sectors of the EU — sugar, grain, and meat.
In 2024, the Czech Republic imported 27.9 million kg of sugar from Ukraine (out of a total of 81.1 million kg) worth CZK 461 million. This is several times higher than the 2021 level of 3.7 million kg.
A fivefold increase in quotas for Ukrainian imports to 100,000 tons could seriously weaken the Czech sugar industry, threatening jobs and infrastructure.
According to information published in the Ukrainian media, former Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksandr Litvinenko may become the next Ukrainian ambassador to Serbia. This was reported by Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleksiy Goncharenko on his Telegram channel, citing sources in the presidential administration.
It is reported that Vladimir Zelensky will soon approve Litvinenko’s appointment to the diplomatic mission in Belgrade by decree.
There has been no official confirmation from the Office of the President or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine yet.
Oleksandr Valeriyovych Litvinenko, born on 27 April 1972 in Kyiv, is a Ukrainian statesman and public figure.
Education: graduated from the Institute of Cryptography, Communications and Informatics of the Russian FSB Academy (1994), received academic degrees in Kyiv and London.
He began his career in the Security Service of Ukraine (1994–1998), then held positions in the National Security and Defence Council, the Security Service and the National Institute for Strategic Studies.
In 2021–2024, he headed the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
On 26 March 2024, by presidential decree, he became Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, holding this position until July 2025, after which he was dismissed.
Litvinenko is a Doctor of Political Science, professor, major general, and Honoured Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Litvinenko is ‘a professional with an excellent reputation,’ and he himself is a key figure in the formation of diplomatic strategies.
It is expected that after the decree is signed, the appointment will be sent to the Serbian Assembly for approval. If the candidacy is approved, Alexander Litvinenko will head the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Belgrade.
The main task is to strengthen bilateral political and economic dialogue, strengthen Ukraine’s position in the Balkans and promote European integration.
The appointment of Oleksandr Litvinenko as Ukraine’s ambassador to Serbia reflects Kyiv’s desire to strengthen its diplomatic presence in the Balkans. His experience working in the National Security and Defence Council, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and strategic institutions makes him a strong candidate for strengthening Ukrainian-Serbian relations.
From November 1, 2025, Poland will stop accepting Ukrainian refugees in collective accommodation centers, with the exception of members of so-called protected groups: pensioners, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. This was reported by Polish Radio, citing a decision taken by the Polish Council of Ministers at a meeting on July 16.
According to Joanna Bachanek, press secretary of the Mazovia Province, every Ukrainian citizen has the right to free accommodation in shelters for 120 days after arriving in Poland.
After this period, a period of financial participation begins, i.e., additional payments for accommodation and food.
“More than half of the residents of collective accommodation centers already pay for part of their stay. After November 1, such centers will operate exclusively for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities,” Bahanek said.
According to the authorities, there are currently about 3,000 Ukrainians living in the Mazovia Province, while there are only about 1,000 places available.
For the remaining Ukrainian citizens, the Polish authorities are planning to launch the “Wspólnie do niezależności” (“Together for Independence”) program, which provides:
The program is expected to enable gradual adaptation and transition from a system of state support to a model of independent living.
The Plus program, which the UKRNAFTA filling station network implements jointly with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine within the Army+ application, demonstrates stable efficiency and real support for the military.
Since the start of the project in December 2024, the military has refueled 13.3 million liters of fuel. The savings amounted to UAH 36.1 million. Another UAH 4.2 million was saved on cafe products and UAH 707.9 thousand on goods in the stores at the filling stations. In total, almost 100,000 military personnel have already taken advantage of the special discounts.
We remind you of the discounts for the military with Army+ at UKRNAFTA filling stations:
* -3 UAH/l for gasoline and diesel (up to 200 liters per month)
* UAH 0.5/l for liquefied gas (up to 200 liters per month)
* -30% for cafe products
* -10% for goods in stores (except for alcohol, tobacco and promotional goods, up to 2000 UAH/month).
UKRNAFTA consistently provides special service conditions for the defenders of Ukraine. The company thanks everyone who serves and continues to support the military every kilometer of their journey.
“Ukrnafta is the largest oil company in Ukraine and the operator of the national network of filling stations. In March 2024, the company took over management of Glusco’s assets and operates 545 filling stations – 461 owned and 84 managed.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and update the format of its filling stations. Since February 2023, the company has been issuing its own fuel coupons and NAFTAKarta cards, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
Ukrnafta’s largest shareholder is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a 50%+1 share.
In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer to the state a share of corporate rights of the company owned by private owners, which is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
On July 17, JSC “Oschadbank” opened the bidders’ offers for voluntary medical insurance of employees. As reported in the system of electronic public procurement Prozorro, the offer of the only bidder – IC “VUSO” – amounted to 134.285 million UAH. The expected cost of purchasing services is UAH 134.3 mln.
As it was informed, the winner of the similar tender a year ago was also IC “VUSO” with the price offer of UAH 114,2 mln against the expected cost of UAH 114,8 mln.
IC “VUSO” was founded in 2001. It is a member of MTSBU and NASU, a participant of the agreement on direct settlement of losses and a member of the Nuclear Insurance Pool.
